Orecchiette with Toasted Breadcrumbs

Recipe courtesy Giada De Laurentiis

Show: Everyday ItalianEpisode: Quick Pasta Classics

Rated: 4 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (110)

RECIPE
COMMENTS & REVIEWS(110)

Cook Time:
15 min
Level:
Easy
Yield:
4 servings

Times:

Prep: 10 min
Inactive Prep: --
Cook: 15 min
Total:: 25 min

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Ingredients

1 pound dried orecchiette or other small shaped pasta
3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2/3 cup Italian seasoned dried bread crumbs
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup grated Parmesan
1 cup finely chopped prosciutto
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves

Directions

In a large pot, bring to a boil 6 quarts of salted water. Cook pasta until al dente, about 8 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a medium-sized saute pan, heat the oil until warm. Since the bread crumbs will cook quickly, you don't want to add them into a hot pan, otherwise they can burn. Add the breadcrumbs and stir constantly. Season lightly with salt and pepper since flavored bread crumbs may already have seasoning. Saute for about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.

Drain pasta in a colander. Working quickly, add pasta to the saute pan and stir to combine. Add Parmesan and the chopped prosciutto. Mix thoroughly. Pour into large serving bowl and garnish with chopped parsley.

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Comments & Reviews

recipe Orecchiette with Toasted Breadcrumbs
aaron syracusen, NY 11-11-2009
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its missing something
Rated: 3 stars out of 5

i know this is supposed to be a simple dish, but it just was ok. i agree with some of the thoughts that it was too dry. it... needed some sauce or pasta water or something. the prosciutto and the parsley where the only thing that really made it worth while. I even used the home made pasta and prosciutto de parma and it still was only ok. Read more
recipe Orecchiette with Toasted Breadcrumbs
Annie Columbus, OH 07-12-2009
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Excellent pasta dish!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

My husband and I really enjoyed this one. I would suggest crisping the prosciutto in the oven at about 350 for around 10... minutes instead of cooking it in the pasta. Then, just break it up over the top of the pasta and it will be crispy and delicious! Also, don't skimp on the oil or the bread crumbs really will be dry. You're making a pound of past with no other fat than what's in the olive oil, so the dish really needs all the olive oil to flavor the bread crumbs and pasta. I would suggest tasting the pasta and bread crumbs before you add salt. Italian bread crumbs already have salt in them, and you don't want the pasta to be too salty. Read more
recipe Orecchiette with Toasted Breadcrumbs
Holly Saginaw, MI 05-05-2009
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Too Dry
Rated: 3 stars out of 5

I made this tonight for my boyfriend and I. He enjoyed it, but I felt it was way too dry and also a bit too salty. Next time... I would add a ladle full of pasta water. Its a great idea with the prosciutto and bread crumbs but it just didn't come out right. Read more
recipe Orecchiette with Toasted Breadcrumbs
Tammy Napervilleil, IL 04-13-2009
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Salty but I loved it
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I made this with shells instead. I also fried up the prosciutto for about a minute before adding it - I don't like the bland... taste of raw prosciutto in pasta. It was fantastic. I cut half the salt the last time I made it - wasn't much but it seemed to help. The parsley makes this dish!Read more
recipe Orecchiette with Toasted Breadcrumbs
michelle bothell, WA 01-25-2009
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Tastes like much more effort was required
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

This is a staple in my house since I first made it a year ago. I didn't have proscuitto in the house, so I substituted... salami and it was delicious. The meat could be left out, but I love the tang of cured meats. This takes no time at all - just long enough to cook the pasta, and it never dissappoints. Read more
recipe Orecchiette with Toasted Breadcrumbs
Tina Tinton Falls, NJ 10-13-2008
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New Favorite Side Dish!!!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I made this once last week and once this week and I am totally obsessed with it. The first time I made it with out the... proscuitto...just the pasta, breadcrumbs, garlic, red pepper flakes, olive oil, and parsley. I didn't miss the meat AT ALL. This is such a comfort food...so delicious and rich. I did not find it dry like some other people said. Orrchiette is a very starchy pasta so it gives it a creaminess. The second time I made it for a dinner party and added bacon instead of proscuitto. Everyone asked me for the recipe. HUGE hit! This will definitely be my new staple side dish instead of boring old mashed potatoes or rice. Read more